Excerpt from out cookbook, How to Cook Like a Peasant, available on Amazon Kindle.  

Written in a basic bitch style — chirpy and agreeable. Mostly. I tried.  In any case, try this if you want to eat well and save money. Ditch basic bitch ideas to do so.

Chapter 4
Shop Without a List

Don’t shop with a grocery list, it doesn’t save you money and it takes the fun out of shopping. Sure, a list may prevent impulse buys, but it doesn’t allow for the flexibility needed to take advantage of store sales and seasonal availability. A more cost-effective approach is to shop with a budget instead. Our goal is to get your shopping budget down to $5 per person per day – which is 40% less than the $8.35 allocated to those on food stamps in Washington state.

This budget-focused method requires a mindset shift. Rather than believing you need more money to eat well, this approach emphasizes creativity and resourcefulness with the funds you have.

Picture this: You’re standing in the grocery store, list in hand. “Eggs for my morning scramble, chicken for that stir-fry, bananas for… well, because we always get bananas.” Stop, just stop it.

You don’t need eggs, chicken, or bananas. What you need is protein, healthy fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Your body doesn’t care if it’s getting protein from eggs or beans, potassium from bananas or sweet potatoes. This shift in thinking is key to more economical shopping.

Eggs tripled in price due to virus outbreak? No problem. Maybe this weekend you’re having a hearty curry lentil soup with carrots, celery, and potatoes instead of an omelet.  That beef stir-fry you had planned?  It could transform into a pork or chicken version if those meats are more affordable this week. Do you really need to make a strawberry shortcake when strawberries are out of season and expensive? How about a chickpea brownie for dessert instead?

The peasant mindset is flexible and adaptable.  If all your hens have gotten sick and can’t produce eggs, well, figure out an alternative protein source to feed your family.  The good news is that modernity gives us plentiful alternatives without the additional hassle of trying to find a new source of nutrition that peasants had to go through.  We are blessed to have the opportunity to cook and eat like peasants without experiencing their hardships when something goes wrong.

Some are thinking: but we need to have omelets for Saturday brunch, that’s what we’ve had forever and that’s what everyone anticipates and wants. In other words, you’re a spoiled shit stuck in time. Whatever, it’s time to think of cooking as a gateway to travel. Sell your family the idea of a culinary world tour. This week, instead of omelets, you’re having a traditional Japanese breakfast with grilled fish (cheap if you know where to shop), miso soup, and rice. Next week, it’s off to Mexico for tacos topped with beans and chorizo. The week after, you’re exploring South India, serving sambar for brunch, a thick lentil soup with veggies that can be served with paratha fry bread, or even just toast that you already have.

This approach not only saves you money when eggs are expensive, but it also broadens your family’s palates and culinary horizons. It turns your kitchen into a classroom, teaching geography, culture, and nutrition all at once. You might discover new family favorites along the way, and you’re building adaptability and openness to new experiences – valuable life skills for everyone.

Grocery shopping on a budget doesn’t have to mean limiting yourself to traditional supermarkets or sacrificing quality. In fact, some of the best deals on fresh, flavorful, and unique ingredients can be found in places many people overlook. By expanding where you shop, you not only save money but also discover new options that make cooking at home more exciting.

Ethnic Markets

Exploring ethnic markets is like taking a culinary journey around the world. Walking through the aisles of an Asian market, you might find dried mushrooms you’ve never seen before or entire aisles dedicated to different types of noodles. The meat section might surprise you with items like chicken feet, beef tongue, or even goat head—common ingredients in many cultures but rare in conventional American stores. This cultural exposure is educational and fascinating.

These stores are goldmines for unique ingredients at unbeatable prices. They cater to communities that view certain items as staples, so they sell large volumes of them and can afford lower markups. Take turmeric root as an example: at major health-conscious chains like Whole Foods, you might pay $12 per pound, but at an Indian market, it’s likely to cost closer to $4 per pound. That’s because turmeric is a fundamental ingredient in Indian cuisine, so it’s stocked regularly and sold at affordable prices thanks to volume discounts the store receives.

The same applies to seafood at Asian markets. Not only is seafood like tilapia, shrimp, or squid significantly cheaper there, but most of these markets also provide free cleaning and preparation services—filleting, scaling, steaming—while you shop. This adds convenience and value that’s hard to match. The variety is equally impressive. Instead of prepackaged cuts, you’ll often find whole fish or freshly butchered meats at lower prices than supermarket trays.

Discount Chains

Discount chains like Aldi, WinCo, and Grocery Outlet are go-to spots for frugal shoppers, especially for pantry staples like rice, beans, and other legumes. At Aldi, for example, their private-label brands offer excellent quality often for less than half the price of name brands elsewhere. WinCo’s bulk bins are another highlight, allowing you to buy just the amount you need at high volume discount prices. Pretty much everything— especially spices, flours, and grains—are  priced far below what conventional grocery stores charge.

Salvage grocers—specialty stores that sell overstocked, damaged-package, or close-to-expired items—offer another avenue for savings. These stores (Grocery Outlet is my favorite) are perfect for non-perishable items like snack foods, baking ingredients, and beverages. It’s like a treasure hunt: if you’re flexible about brands or expiration dates, you can walk out with incredible deals. Just be sure to check for dents or tears in packaging, and don’t purchase items you won’t use quickly.

How to Navigate New Stores

When exploring ethnic markets, observe what other shoppers are buying. Take note of what products seem popular or freshly stocked. Different stores excel in different areas—an Asian market might have the best prices on fresh produce, seafood, rice, and noodles, while an Indian market is typically better for spices, lentils, and dried herbs. Keep an open mind and be prepared for unfamiliar sights and smells, they’re part of the adventure.

By thinking creatively about where to shop, you’ll quickly see how much farther your grocery budget can stretch. Whether you’re filling your cart with fresh produce, bulk pantry staples, or trying exciting new ingredients, these under-the-radar stores help you save money while expanding your culinary horizons. Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be expensive or boring, it can be an adventure in itself.